AFL football operations boss Steve Hocking says Dale Thomas’ $7500 umpire abuse fine sent a ‘very clear message’

The AFL says it will continue to take a hard line stance on nasty umpire abuse despite a player-led backlash over Dale Thomas’ $7500 fine.

The AFL says the severity of Dale Thomas’ fine for umpire abuse sends a very clear message. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos.

The AFL says it will continue to take a hard line stance on nasty umpire abuse despite a player-led backlash over Dale Thomas’ $7500 fine.

Football operations boss Steve Hocking said it was unacceptable to hurl insults at umpires and that it posed a considerable risk to the game at grassroots level.

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He also said Carlton’s cheer squad had been urged to cease the use of drums in-play after using them to accompany an “umpire, you are a w—ker” chant in Round 8.

AFL Players’ Association president Paddy Dangerfield and Hawthorn premiership hero Jordan Lewis said on Wednesday the Thomas fine was too harsh and the wrong type of sanction.

Thomas has apologised for calling boundary umpire Michael Barlow a “f---ing cheat” as part of a heated exchange in the loss to Greater Western Sydney on Sunday.

Hocking, who put players on notice about the treatment of umpires one month ago, said attitudes towards the whistleblowers had to change to create a “safer environment”.

The AFL says the severity of Dale Thomas’ fine for umpire abuse sends a very clear message. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos.

“There’s almost been a tolerance around that (language) and it becomes very pervasive through society,” Hocking said.

“If we just sit back and just accept that (umpire abuse), what tends to happen it can actually shorten the life span of the umpires and practically impact the community pathway

“So, we are mindful of that, and it’s one of the call-outs from the umpiring group as well.

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“It (Thomas fine) sent a very clear message that we are not going to stand by and accept it.”

Thomas, 31, was angry at the umpire for encouraging Giants players to move into the correct six-six-six formation for a third-quarter centre bounce.

Hocking said all clubs were “very clear” umpires had been directed to help players in this manner since the JLT pre-season series.

“Anyone who doesn’t know that probably needs to revisit,” he said.

Two weeks ago Sydney co-captain Dane Rampe was also fined $10,000 (half suspended) for telling umpire Jacob Mollison he spoke like “a little girl”.

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott, who sat on the competition committee meeting yesterday, said players had to be penalised for abusing umpires.

“I would like to think our job is to put money in players’ pockets, not take it out, but there needs to be a consequence for your actions,” Scott said.

“Dale himself would be disappointed, but that is the message that has been sent out to the wider footy community, that you can’t speak to umpires like that.”

Sydney's Dane Rampe was fined $10,000 for telling an umpire he spoke like ‘a little girl’. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

Hocking said the league had finalised talks with Carlton about its cheer squad’s use of drums in-play.

The club was served a please explain letter and risks further sanction if the instruments continue be used.

“You can absolutely go your hardest on the drums post-goal, but as soon as the game is live, fans don’t want that,” Hocking said.

“They actually want to be invested in the game. So it’s about respecting that.

“That is more just about making sure everyone feels like they can be safe inside the stadium.”